Obituary of Daniel Alvarez & Natalie Owens and Children

Daniel Alvarez Memorial Fund established in honor of Daniel Alvarez whose entire household of 5 was killed September 30, 2010 during the Record Breaking Deluge from the system moving ahead of the remnants of Tropical Storm, Nicole. The Alvarez Family seeks to preserve Daniel's honorable memory through this memorial fund. OCTOBER 18, 2010---Nearly the entire nation mourned the loss of Daniel Alvarez, his wife and children, as Daniel and his family became a symbol of Tropical Storm Nicole's devastation last month. Nicole's wrath left behind her indelible mark of killing, stealing and destroying the lives and property of many. Daniel was returning home on the last day, that great day of the Feast of Tabernacles, with his wife, three year old twin boys and one year old daughter in what the Associated Press (AP) termed, "Nightmare" of rain, when his vehicle "hydroplaned, left the roadway, overturned and landed in a ditch filled with water near Creswell, North Carolina." per the N.C. Highway Patrol, drowning him and his family. Daniel was a committed servant of the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and a dedicated family man. At the funeral service, mourners found comfort in God's inspired word. His brother Quintin quoted, "A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth" (Ecclesiastes 7:1), and the minister quoted this thought-provoking scripture, "The righteous perish, and no man lays it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness" (Isaiah 57:1-2). Co-workers spoke glowingly about Daniel, saying, "He was the light of the store", "I've never met anyone like Daniel", "It was as if he always had two angels around him", and finally, "He walked with God". Family and friends will greatly miss Daniel, yet continue to find comfort in his salvation, "Is not this a brand plucked out the fire" (Zechariah 3:2). The family is dedicated to adding to his legacy of humble service. "A short life has but a few days, but a good name endures forever" (Ecclesiasticus 41:13). About the Daniel Alvarez Memorial Fund The Daniel Alvarez Memorial Fund has been established by the Beulah Foundation in conjunction with the Alvarez Family. The purpose of the Fund is to build on the common vision shared by Daniel and the Beulah Foundation of, "Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself" (Leviticus 19:18). The Daniel Alvarez Memorial Fund was established on October 12, 2010 by Beulah Foundation on behalf of the Alvarez Family in memory of Daniel Alvarez (age 27), a faithful supporter of Beulah's vision who perished with his household in a single vehicle accident during Tropical Storm Nicole on September 30, 2010, despite older brother Quintin's courageous effort pulling all 5 of his loved ones from the vehicle. Quintin has taken up the mantle to be "his brother's keeper", informing all how Daniel's committed life of preaching good tidings to the meek, binding up the broken-hearted, proclaiming liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that were bound, was not in vain. The mission of the Daniel Alvarez Memorial Fund is to add more lively stones to the foundational rock from whence he was hewed and upon which he was so diligently building. The Fund will be used toward the establishment of a transitional housing facility helping men and women renew their lives. Beulah Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, will be the beneficiary of this fund, as it was Daniel's hope that this initiative be fully realized. Beulah Foundation helps the people it serves become stronger leaders of their own lives, free from various forms of bondage like addiction and past imprisonment, resulting in more productive citizens. Carlton S. Battle, Beulah Foundation Chairman, says that the foundation is pleased to be the beneficiary of this fund on behalf of such an honorable man. With the passing of Daniel Alvarez, the community has a golden opportunity to make a single, monthly or annual tax-deductible contribution in his honor to help realize Daniel's dream. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Beulah Foundation with "Daniel Alvarez Memorial Fund" written in the memo section. Contributions can be given at any Wachovia Bank, Acct. # 2000049342675 and EIN # 26-4758007, or mailed to Beulah Foundation, P.O. Box 9883, Asheville, NC 28815. Donations can also be made online at www.beulahfoundation.org. Please do not send cash in the mail. OBITUARY: Daniel Santiago Alvarez was born on February 20, 1983 in Bronx, New York to parents, Salvador Quintin and Armelinda Alvarez who were of Hondurean descent. His father, Salvador Quintin passed away October 14, 2003, so Daniel is survived by his mother Armelinda Alvarez. Daniel's brother and sisters are Quintin Alvarez (Elon ben Zebulon ben Israel), Carlota Alvarez, and Miriam Alvarez. Daniel graduated from Christopher Columbus High School, Bronx, New York and studied History at Bronx Community College. Daniel loved classical music and amazingly taught himself how to play the violin. Daniel accepted the call by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at the age of 15, and had diligently served him ever since. For 12 years, he faithfully served God with his congregation, Beth Emeth wa Chased. Several years after securing his foundation with his God, Daniel began to build his own household by taking Leah Beth Daniel (Natalie Owens), to be his wife in 2005. They met while working at Barnes and Noble bookstore in Miami, Florida, where Daniel resided after leaving New York. Leah Beth Daniel (Natalie Owens) was born July 29, 1984 in Chicago, IL. She graduated from Miami Coral Park High School. She studied Public Relations at Florida International University. She was an employee of Neiman Marcus since July 2005. She was a quiet, sensitive and caring person who loved the Holy Bible, her family, friends, and fashion. Daniel and Leah were blessed with three children, Ezekiel Ben Daniel, the oldest twin, along with his brother Zechariah Ben Daniel, were born on Dec 29, 2006; Ariela Bat Daniel was born on July 13, 2009. They were beautiful children who were taken great care of by their abba. They had beautiful personalities and loved to play games with each other. Ezekiel was the beginning of Daniel Ben Zebulon's strehgth and it showed by the growing strength of his character. Zechariah was an additional blessing whose sweetness and sensitivity touched all those who came in contact with him. Ariela was the icing on the cake; she was sassy and spunky. Daniel had moved his family to Lawrenceville, GA where he worked in Duluth for Home Depot, Inc. for five years. Daniel's co-workers say he was the "light of the store", he spent countless hours ministering the word of God to all those that were in need of inspiration. The lives of Daniel and his entire household were lost on September 30, 2010 near Creswell, North Carolina in a record-breaking rain storm, after his jeep hydroplaned. Daniel was 27, Leah (Natalie) was 25, Ezekiel and Zechariah were 3, and Ariela was 1 year old. Daniel was a beloved son, brother and uncle. He loved his people of Honduras and the entire nation of Israel. Daniel encouraged himself and others to Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not to thine own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). Daniel is survived by many more who loved him: Sister in Law, Shiphrah Beth Elon; Nieces, Shoshanna Bat Elon (Alvarez), and Layla Bat Elon (Alvarez), Tamar Beth Benjamin (Rjenee Williams); Nephews, Malachi Alvarez and Quintin W. Alvarez; his aunts, uncles and a host of cousins, most beloved were Yachleel Ben Zebulun (William Garcia), Nexer Palacios, and Jeffrey Alvarez; brothers and sisters of his congregation, Beth Emeth wa Chased; co-workers at Home Depot, caring friends and a host of strangers who were moved by the family's passing. A private family service for the Alvarez family was held at 2:00pm on Monday, October 4, 2010 at Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel. The interment was in Hamilton Mill Memorial Gardens. The family acknowledges with deep appreciation the many expressions of love, concern, kindness shown to them during this hour of bereavement. The family would like to thank Home Depot, Inc and Pitt County Children's Hospital for their goodwill.